Trojans struggle in another rout

Saturday

Sep 29, 2012 at 12:10 AMSep 29, 2012 at 12:42 AM

GRANITE BAY - Even when things went right they went wrong.

Stephen Roberson

GRANITE BAY - Even when things went right they went wrong.

Lincoln High's big first-half moment was killed, the victim of an inadvertent whistle, and the rest of the night's big moments went host Granite Bay's way in a 42-14 victory that handed the Trojans their second consecutive one-sided loss and sent Lincoln into next week's San Joaquin Athletic Association opener with a 2-3 record.

The offensive line's struggles that have plagued Lincoln all season continued, resulting in 14 carries for minus-4 yards from running back Justin Davis.

With the Grizzlies (2-3) leading 7-0 late in the first quarter with the ball on their own 39-yard line, running back John Cooley lost a fumble that Lincoln's Devan Ramos recovered in stride with nothing but artificial turf between him and the end zone.

Officials, however, blew the play dead, and the referee approached the Lincoln sideline and sheepishly explained: Because of an inadvertent whistle, a do-over was needed.

Granite Bay, who beat Lincoln in a dramatic Sac-Joaquin Section semifinal last season at A.G. Spanos Stadium on their way to the Division I championship, didn't score on that drive. But they did score two quick touchdowns soon afterward.

The Grizzlies held Lincoln to three-and-out, then scored on a four-play, 46-yard drive that Taft Partridge capped with a 13-yard run up the middle to make it 14-0 with 7:19 left in the first half.

Things got worse, fast.

Granite Bay recovered a pooch kick at the Lincoln 20 and two plays later, Tony Ellison caught a 17-yard touchdown from Grant Caraway and it was 21-0 with 6:32 left until halftime. The Grizzlies extended the lead to 28-0 at the break with an eight-play, 73-yard drive that took 1:02 and ended with Caraway's second TD pass, a 14-yarder to Ty Serna with 6 seconds remaining.

Bobby Tuovao caught a 4-yard touchdown from quarterback Zack Greenlee late in the third quarter for Lincoln's first touchdown. Greenlee connected with Osha Washington on the 2-point conversion.